FLIGHTLESS BIRD WITH WINGS ⋆⁺₊ ☾ ⁺₊⋆ SNEEZEDUCK

[Swansong]

The moon hangs overhead, and two pale eyes cut through the dim of night. There is a chill creeping in. Though blossoms flourish in the light day, cold mist rises from the swamplands in tandem with the moon. It hides them well; they will need discretion, lest the judgemental eyes of mortals catch upon these two wayward spirits. Their mutual friend was much maligned in her life, and the living often struggle to accept the dead's wisdom. They know what they must do - and they know that her other charge is the only one who could understand.

A feathery tail brushes against Sneezeduck's side, though Swansong does not turn to look at him. "Come..." they breathe, words misting in the air. Slow steps trail towards the mouth of camp. "A walk, please... I need to speak with you... urgently..." A flash of blue towards the younger warrior, gaze level and twinkling with a grim sort of anticipation.

// @sneezeduck

⋆⁺₊ ☾ ⁺₊⋆

SWANSONG BIOGRAPHY ㅤ/ ㅤTOYHOU.SE
★ demigirl ( she / they ) ㅤ& lesbian, mate to poppyglow (npc'd)
★ㅤ 24 moons old & ages realistically, every 17th of the month
★ㅤ warrior of shadowclan for 12 moons
★ ㅤhalfshade x smogstar ㅤ& littermate to applejaw, ashenfall, garlicheart
★ㅤ ㅤmentored agaterain, swallowflutter & mentored by skunktail, sabletuft
★ㅤ penned by saturnid & ㅤmessage saturnids on discord for plots!

"SPEECH"

 

[sneezeduck]

SNEEZEDUCK

HE/HIM SHADOWCLAN WARRIOR

There had been much unease in the young tom's mind these days. It clouds them terribly, shrouding his judgement and emotions. He had been more on edge than ever, after what he had witnessed between Caterpillarfuzz and Bumbletail - and more aware of others' perception of himself than ever before. Of all times, he finds himself most at ease with the cool air seeping into his bones, with the stars shining overhead.

If only the stars had not damned him for his decision that day, he may still find comfort in them tonight. He can still feel Siltcloud's claws upon his ears.

The soft touch of a tail upon his side startles him, and his gaze snaps quickly to the pale molly, equally intrigued and uneasy with the observation that she does not look his way, merely speaks. Sneezeduck stands as she trails away, affording him little time to decide; the matter is of upmost importance, he gathers from her tone. When Swansong finally looks his way, Sneezeduck is steadily at her side, reading her expression with a knowing look of his own. He always found comfort in the sort of understanding that they shared, the foundation of their friendship. Death speaks to us both.

The two step lightly out of camp, as if any disturbance could ruin whatever opportunity she sees. As they walk, Sneezeduck's ears swivel to and fro, picking up the croaks and chirps of nightlife. He tastes no other on his tongue; he hears no paws. Still, it is not until they are a considerable distance away from camp, still walking, that he finally looks to her and speaks. " What is it..? " Why me?

ooc:

accordion

Sneezeduck is a chocolate tabby tom with cream under-accents, a disorganized pelt, and abnormally long head-fur. He is tall and lanky with big paws - overall clumsy in appearance.

— duckshimmer x unknown tom
— brother to singeglare and swallowflutter
— half-brother to unnamed kit and unnamed kit
— mentored by sharpshadow
— 17 moons old as of 3/05/2025

penned by ixora

 

[Swansong]

They walk, a chorus of frog-chirrups guiding their path. Swansong is quiet, her mind a swirling miasma of uncertainty. She does her best to tear through it; she acts upon StarClan's will. She is their voice, and she will ensure that they are listened to. It is the only way forward, if they are to break their curse.

Her eyes drift towards the younger warrior, staring through him. "You hear... the voice of death..." she murmurs. What has Siltcloud told him, she wonders? Did she tell him to chase Caterpillarfuzz off? Did she know that the clan would not understand, no matter what he told them? She swallows the bitterness down, focuses on their purpose. She recalls Siltcloud's words, lets them spill through her own maw. "But... They... Our clanmates, they cannot - will not..." Faithless. Directionless; no wonder StarClan can no longer see what it is that plagues them. They have spent too long unwilling to heed the dead's guidance, and now the connection has thinned.

She thinks of Ternstar, called by the stars themselves. Her attempts to codify faith were maligned, but an honest attempt nonetheless. Still, she flounders - seeks help in the dead's own vessel. If only the rest of the clan were willing to do the same.

"...I know how to make them listen." A thrum of excitement courses through their voice. The stars will speak, in a way that none can deny. She plans, in the dim of night. It is almost completely in place - all she needs is an alibi. "You know... our purpose, Sneezeduck. Our destiny. Swear to me, you will help uphold it..."

⋆⁺₊ ☾ ⁺₊⋆

SWANSONGㅤ BIOGRAPHY ㅤ/ ㅤTOYHOU.SE
★ demigirl ( she / they ) ㅤ& lesbian, mate to poppyglow (npc'd)
★ㅤ 24 moons old & ages realistically, every 17th of the month
★ㅤ warrior of shadowclan for 12 moons
★ ㅤhalfshade x smogstar ㅤ& littermate to applejaw, ashenfall, garlicheart
★ㅤ ㅤmentored agaterain, swallowflutter & mentored by skunktail, sabletuft
★ㅤ penned by saturnid & ㅤmessage saturnids on discord for plots!

"SPEECH"

 

[sneezeduck]

SNEEZEDUCK

HE/HIM SHADOWCLAN WARRIOR

You hear the voice of death. There it is, again, that mystical murmur of purpose, earning an inquisitive twitch of Sneezeduck's whiskers. He leans forward in response, as if to catch and hang onto every sleepy word that falls from the molly's maw - as if they will escape him if he doesn't, an opportunity never to arise again. There was something special about them both, ordinary warriors called upon by the stars, a feat not easily earned. He is pleased to be reminded of such.

But it's no simple reminder; it's a call for help. The warrior's eyes flutter downward, sorrowfully, at the mention of their Clanmates' ignorance. " I have tried, " he rasps out, a brittle croak in comparison to Swansong's tune of a voice. " Not even my own kin will hear. They won't even.. try. " He thinks of Singeglare, whose hatred had broken a rift between the two brothers, as close as they once were. The boy had seen himself disowned by his own littermate - if only he could just listen..

Sneezeduck's eyes flutter open - he hadn't noticed how tightly shut they had been squeezed at the thought of his wayward brother. Similarly, he feels his heart quicken with anticipation. It had been what he had plead from Siltcloud; a way to make them listen, a way to deliver ShadowClan to the prosperity they deserved and have long been starved of. He swiftly, inwardly, swats away the inkling of envy that bites through him at the thought that Swansong could reach an answer so pristinely, and he could not.

It is swallowed by pride. Our purpose - our destiny. How long had he waited to hear those words? Sneezeduck's lips curl into a knowing smile, like a giddy kitten getting in on a big secret. " I will do what I must, " he promises. He had been waiting, ready, for this moment.. and whatever Swansong requires, he shall see it done. " I swear it. "

ooc:

accordion

Sneezeduck is a chocolate tabby tom with cream under-accents, a disorganized pelt, and abnormally long head-fur. He is tall and lanky with big paws - overall clumsy in appearance.

— duckshimmer x unknown tom
— brother to singeglare and swallowflutter
— half-brother to unnamed kit and unnamed kit
— mentored by sharpshadow
— 17 moons old as of 3/05/2025

penned by ixora